Hair Loss Causes – Page 287

August 9, 2006

DHT and Follicles That Are Transplanted – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to know how a hair follicle falls off. I was told that as DHT accmulates at the bottom of hair follicles hair falls off. This DHT is produmed by male harmones. Is this true? If this is the case even after hair transplantation DHT will be accumulating and it will cause the transplanted follicle to fall off. Then how is hair transplantation a permanent solution?

I think you have it wrong. DHT does accumulate in body tissues, but it has no hair loss impact unless there is a genetic defect in the hair follicles. The hair in the back and around the sides of the head have no genetic defect, so the DHT does not impact these follicles. The follicles are, for all intents and purposes, immune to DHT.

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August 8, 2006

Senile Alopecia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I’ve been searching your wonderful blog for treatment information on what is apparently termed, “Senile Alopecia.” My still beautiful mother at 84, may be experiencing this. She has been having a rather sudden increase in overall hair loss. Her scalp is showing through mostly on top, but also in the back and sides. I’ve copied your suggestions for possible medical causes in younger women. Once those are eliminated, is there anything at all that might halt this fast progression to almost total balness? Thank you so much for your help.

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Senile alopecia often refers to generalized thinning or alopecia. With women, the female hair loss that we see on over 50% of post menopausal women, is a diffuse alopecia. We see this condition in 1% of men in their 20s. If the medical causes are not there and blood testing has cleared your mom of the the various causes of hair loss, then female genetic hair loss is probably the diagnosis. When it is referred to as senile alopecia, it generally means that the victim is elderly. It’s bad terminology. In the case of your beautiful 84 year old mother, simply put, she may be outliving some of her hair. Also see NHI Frequently Asked Questions.

August 3, 2006

Why Might I Have an Itchy, Sore Scalp? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am an African American woman and my scalp started itching on and off about 2 months ago mainly in the crown area and the front area, then my scalp became sore for a day or 2, then I noticed, I didnt become bald, but my hair in the crown area and certain parts of the frontal area looks like it broke all the way down and left about 1 to 2 inches of hair in certain spots. This has happened to me about 2 years ago. But the hair always grew back. Can you tell me why this happens and what I can do to prevent it?

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There is no way to tell what is happening with your scalp or hair without a physical examination. Usually if you pull or scratch your hair enough it will break off at its tip. It is sometimes a compulsive act. This condition is known a trichotillomania. But if the root (pardon the pun) of your problem is an itchy scalp you may have a local dermatitis or ring worms (fungal infection) or hundreds of other causes. BaldingBlog is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or second opinions. You should see a medical doctor if this problem persists.

August 3, 2006

Hair Loss InformationNeurontin and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello,
I am female and 45. I was on Neurontin for nerve damage and most of my hair fell out quickly in clumps after being on it for about 3-4mos. I assumed the medication did it but then I had a biopsy and a diagnosis of alopecia due to either Telogen Effluvium or Andrognetic. At this point, one year later, I have very little hair and I am not sure if it is growing back or not. Do you have any thoughts on whether this is an accurate diagnosis and what my chnces are for my hair to grow back? Thanks

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It is difficult to second guess your diagnosis without a proper physical examination. Neurontin may have been a factor in your hair loss. Generally when hair loss occurs due to a trigger (such as stress, hormones, drugs, age, etc) it is impossible to tell if hair will return even if the offending trigger is removed. Hair loss is not an exact science. Scientists still cannot define and pinpoint the exact cause of hair loss.

August 2, 2006

Sarcoidosis and Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

i have sarcoidosis. my hair is starting to fall out. i’m 29 male. please tell me if it will grow back

There is no way for me to know that your hair will grow back. You need a good medical examination and a correct diagnosis. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown causes. It affects more women than men. It affects all organ systems including the skin, which may contribute to hair loss. While sarcoidosis may be a factor in your hair loss, you may also have male pattern hair loss. There is no way to tell unless you get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and then follow-up with your doctor for his/her interpretation of that mapping pattern.

August 1, 2006

Is Sex Creating More DHT and Causing My Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr

From my understanding during the process of ejaculation more testosterone is transfered into DHT which leads to hair loss. So is it beneficial for me to have less sex with my Gl in order to treat my hair loss

Thanx a lot

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Some things are not worth giving up. Sex versus hair… hair versus sex… hmmmmm…

Fortunately, there is no clinical correlation between hair loss and sex. If you are looking for a reason not to have sex, you may try the classic, “Not now, I have a headache” line.

August 1, 2006

Is a Cowlick Just a Cowlick? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am an 18 year old male and losing hair, a couple of hairs a night on my pillow and about 25 hairs per shower. My hairline is receding, but I think it is a part of the maturing process. My biggest concern is an unruly cowlick I have. I can’t just ignore it and it gives my head a bald spot. I try to comb it down and sometimes comb it over, but that doesn’t eliminate my concern. So, is my cowlick the beginning of baldness? Or is a cowlick just a cowlick? Thanks for reading and for your answers to all the other questions on this site!

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A cowlick is just a cowlick. Many women think that they are sexy. My 29 year old son has one and I think that it is character building in the hair line. Live with it and look at it as a sign of sexy beauty for a man.

August 1, 2006

Can I Be Helped Without Having a Hair Transplant? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

If my balding is due to one of these: (braiding (dreadlocks), hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, malnutrition, stress, hormone imbalance) can I really be helped without having a hair transplant?

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In your case, probably not — but you should correct the medical conditions. You seem to have a lot going on. See a doctor, because an in-person, face-to-face meeting would be miles ahead of internet advice.

July 31, 2006

Hair Loss InformationHair Loss from Weight Lifting? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dear Dr. Rassman,

I am a 24 year old male medical student. I have had a very gradually receding hairline for the past 2-3, but just recently (past 6-8 months) I noticed the shedding of hair has increased and my hair is thinning in the front. This realization really is depressing because I didn’ think I would start REALLY balding until I was well in my 30s. At least thats been the pattern in my immediate family. I have an appointment with the dermatologist in a month to pinpoint it to male pattern baldness and not something else just to make sure. Anyways, my question to you is whether or not there is a correlation between weight lifting and hairloss?

Working out, especially with heavy weights, will increase your testosterone levels. So the natural assumption would be that increased testosterone levels = increased DHT production = more hair loss. I personally have been a big fan of whey protein supplements, glutamine, and creatine to boost my gains in the gym. My parents always warned me against taking these saying it was “unnatural” and would have consequences in the long run, and now I’m wondering if they might have been right after all. I’ve had a protein shake(30 grams whey protein) and maybe 5 grams of glutamine maybe 3-5 times a week for the past 4-5 years. This is very coincident with the time that my hairline started to gradually recede.

I’m starting to wonder now whether my dedication to weight training and diet actually hastened the hair loss process. For now, I am discontinuing all forms of supplements including protein drinks and glutamine. Doing this will obviously cut my gains in the gym, but as long as I can save my hair for now I don’t care what it takes. What is your opinion on this???

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What you are suggesting is logical, but there is no proof to it. Since you are 24 years old and at the peak of the early balding process when genetics generally tend to kick in, it may be coincidental with your training process. Realistically, if you have genetic hair loss you should have a diagnosis made, then probably treat it with Propecia, which should stop the hair loss impact of DHT reasonably well. As a medical student you should approach this process the correct way.

July 27, 2006

Testicles and Balding – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I recently heard of a story(second hand) where a pair of identical twins, due to an unfortunate accident, were part of an interesting experiment.

Apparently at the age of 21 one of the pair lost his testis in some motor vehicle accident. Now both are in their fifties, the one who was in this accident has a full head of hair, and his identical twin is quite bald. Does this mean that removing your testis stops balding?

I am terribly sorry if this a very silly question.

Thanks for your time

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Good question! I have not heard of that story, but that is a very real possibility. Male pattern hair loss is in part due to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a breakdown product of testosterone. If a man is missing his testicles, which is the source of the majority of testosterone in his body, he will have a very low level of DHT and should not bald.